Alright, buckle up, theater lovers! Let me tell you about the time I accidentally fell head over heels for a Broadway show I wasn't even sure I wanted to see. I was living in New York (well a shed in New Jersey) and like any good theater enthusiast, I was obsessed with the big, flashy musicals. "Phantom," "Cats," "Les Miz," "Miss Saigon"—those were my go-to's. But amidst the mega-hits, there was "Crazy For You." The ads always looked a bit…old-fashioned to me. I'd pass the Schubert Theatre and Madonna's song would pop into my head (even though they had nothing to do with each other!) and I'd just shrug and keep walking.
But then, one day, things changed. I was wandering around the theater district, killing time before meeting a client and something told me, "Just do it." I snagged a cheap $15 ticket right before the matinee started. Walking into the theater, I realized the crowd was…let's just say, more seasoned than I was. I knew nothing about the show, no songs, no cast recording, zip! But then, I saw two names in the Playbill that caught my eye: Harry Groener (from my "Cats" Broadway cast recording!) and Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel! Okay, maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
And then came the seat adventure. My ticket was for way up in the rafters, but, you know, young and bold, I always tried my luck. I marched right into the orchestra section, spotted an open seat next to an older woman and told the usher my "grandmother" had my ticket. Pointing to the woman, I said she was "up front." Luckily, the usher didn't push it and the seat was miraculously empty! I was in!
The show started and it was like being transported to another world. It had this wonderful, nostalgic vibe, yet something felt surprisingly fresh and modern. I didn't know much about Gershwin, other than the theater that beated the name, but some of the tunes were instantly familiar, while others were brand new to me. And Jodi Benson? That voice! Absolutely angelic. "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "I Got Rhythm" became instant favorites, probably because, in my head, it was Ariel, The Little Mermaid, singing them.
The whole thing felt like a beautiful dream. Here I was, in the middle of a packed theater, completely swept up in this story about Bobby Child, a banker's son who dreams of dancing and ends up in a sleepy Nevada town, falling for a spunky local girl, Polly Baker. The plot unfolds with mistaken identities, show-stopping dance numbers (seriously, "Slap That Bass"!) and some seriously swoon-worthy Gershwin tunes. There are Follies Girls, grumpy cowboys and even a drunk Bela Zangler stumbling around! The story is pure entertainment, full of twists and turns and absolutely heartwarming. I won't give away all the details of Acts 1 and 2 because I want you to check out this amazing show on your own if there’s ever a revival but I will mention that there are many laugh out loud moments.
After the show, I was on cloud nine. I grabbed a hot dog and Pepsi from one of the many hot dog carts in Times Square and "I Got Rhythm" was bouncing around in my head the whole way to the Sheraton. Sadly, I left my Playbill in the lobby (major regret!), but I made up for it by hitting Sam Goody at A&S Plaza and grabbing the cast recording on cassette tape on my way to the PATH train. That night, in my "tricked out shack" in New Jersey, I listened to those two songs repeat, rewinding and fast-forwarding, letting the music fill my soul.
"Crazy For You" was a total surprise, a gem I never expected. It was a reminder that sometimes the best experiences are the ones you stumble into. It’s a testament that old-fashioned entertainment done right never goes out of style. It’s so much more than just a musical; it's an experience.
So, what about you? Have you seen "Crazy For You"? What are some unexpected shows that have stolen your heart? I'd absolutely love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Let's share our theatrical adventures!
By the way, if you've enjoyed this little trip down memory lane, and you're feeling extra generous, you know, supporting a fellow theater lover's passion and helping me keep the stories coming…well, any little "encore" is always appreciated! 😉 No pressure at all, of course! Just sharing the love of the theater! And don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for future theatrical tales, I'm not done telling them yet!
You can also find me on the following social media platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/adrianduarte
https://bsky.app/profile/adriansknitwits.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/adriansknitwits
https://www.threads.net/adriansknitwits
https://www.facebook.com/adrianduarte
https://bsky.app/profile/adriansknitwits.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/adriansknitwits
https://www.threads.net/adriansknitwits
